Electric railway signaling apparatus.



ELEOTBIO RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

' APPLIUATION FILED JULY 13, 1908. 939,984.

Patented Nov. 16. 1909 a sanms snmz'r 1.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNALING manna.

A PPLIOATION FILED JULY 13. 190B Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

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ELEGTBIO RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 1a, 1905.

939,984. Patented Nov. 16.1909

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WILLIAM J. COOK. 01 DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

Application filed Jul 13, 1908. mm No. 448,820.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. G005, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Railway Sialing Apparatus; and I do declare the fol l dwing to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it uppertains to make and use the some,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures ofreference marked thereon which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical railway signalingapparatus, my object being to provide means whereb in the event of aninjury to the track 9110 i as would ordinarily result in an accident,trains may be notified in time to avert the difliculty. My improvedconstruction is es pecially adapted to warn trains in case of an injuryto a culvert or bridve due to high water or the burning of the bridge.Provision is also made for warning trains in the event of the rolli ofrocks or the accumulation of debris 0 any kind upon the track due toslides in mountainous districts whether of snow or other material. Myapparatus includes an electrical circuit which is closed by the breakingof a device which is connected by means of a rod or wire with anelement. which is sufficiently disturbed by the injury to or theaccumulation of material upon the track, to break the said device,resulting in the release of a spring-actuated part which when the saiddevice is broken moves into engagement with twocontacts which arebridged thereby thus closing a circuit through an elcctronulgnet, whichacts to release a signal allowing the latter to assume the dangerposition. Provision is also made For simultaneously closing a light.circuit whereby a lamp connected with the signaling arm is lighted.

llnving hriclly outlined in im uovcd coustructiou, I will proceed tocscri m the some in detail reference bein r made to tho accompanyingdrawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing. Figure 1 is a view illustrating my impruvm] apparatusshown in conucctiou with a bridge or culvert together with means foroperating the signal in the event that the water rises to a den erousposition. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through a ox in which thespring-actuated circuit-closing device is located. This box alsoconceals the contacts which are bridged by the said device whenreleased, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fi 3 is a. viewsimilar to Fig. 1, illustrating, owever, the application of theapparatus to a line of track in a mountainous district where the trackis liable to be obstructed by the slidin of material from the mountainside to the track. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4- Fig.l 3. F'5 is a detail view illustrating t e signa mg mechanism shown on a.larger scale. This view is obtained by lookiug in the direction of arrow5 Fig. 6. Fig. 6 15 a view looking in the direction of arrow 6 Fig. 5.Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view illustratlng an electrical generator and anaudible signal located in the circuit of the generator, the lattersupplyin the currentfor the signaling device. file construction shown inthis view may be said to be broken away from the left hand extremity ofthe construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a box or other suitable receptacle arrangedin suitable proximity to a line of track 6. Within this box which isprovided with a removable cover 7, is concealed a disk 8 composed ofconducting material, the said disk being connected with a stem 9 whichasses through an opening 10 formed in n ug or partition 12 projectingfrom the bottom of the box. Be twccn this lug and the disk andsurrounding the stem 9 is a coil sprim 13. The extremity of the stem 9remote mm the disk, pro trodes beyond the lug 12 and with it isconnected a relatively fragile or breakable device 14. The oppositeextremity of this breakable device 1s councctcd with a wire or cable 15passing through a tubc. 16 arranged along the track (see Fig. 1) andterminaliug at a bridg or culvert 17 over which the truck masses. Itwill be understood that there 5 tflllld be one of these boxes 5 at eachextremity of the bridge or that these boxes and their attachments shouldbe located on 105 oppusitc sides of the bridge. culvert or other dangerint. Hence it may be assumed that the flexible device 15, is connectedwith two breakable devices 14, one being located in a box 5 on each sideof the danger point. At the bridge, still referring to Fig. 1, thetubular rotection or sheath 16 ceases and the flexi le device 15 isexposed and to it 18 connected, as shown in the drawing, the upperextremity of a lever 18 fulcrumed on a cross beam 19 as shown at 20. Tothe lower extremity of this lever is attached a blade 21 so arrangedthat when the water 22 rises to a dangerous height, it will act uponthis plate and operate the lever sufficiently to disrupt the breakabledevice 14. The pull on the flexible device due to its connection withthe lever 18, is sufficient to place the 5 ring 13 under tension. Assoon as the fiexi le device is broken, the recoil of the spring 13acting on the disk 8 will cause the latter to move into engagement withtwo separated contacts 23 and 24 located within the box 5 but. insulatedtherefrom as shown at 25. This movement of the disk closes an electricalcircuit in which is located an electro-magnet 26 and an electric lamp27. The magnet being energized by the closing of the circuit, acts upona spring-actuated latch 28 which normally en ges a tooth 29 formed onthe periphery ot a disk 30 pivoted at 31 on a post 32. This latch passesthrough two lugs 33 and 34 and is provided with a stop co ar 35 which isengaged by one extremity of a coil spring 36, the opposite extremity ofthe spring bearing against the lower lug 33. The magnetic force incidentto the energizing of the magnet 26, acts on this latch to move the samedownwardly whereby the latch is disengaged from the tooth 29, allowingthe disk 30 to make a partial rotation whereby a signaling arm 37connected therewith, is allowed to move downwardly to the dotted lineposition (see Fig. 5 By virtue of this movement of the dis a contactspring 38 is brought into engagement with a contact 39 whereby theelectrical circuit is closed through the lamp 27. The cnga ement of thecontacts 38 and 39 also limits t e further movement of the disk and thesignaling arm. The position of the signaling arm when the disk is lockedby the latch 28, is illustrated in Figs. 5 and t.

In the form of construction shown in Fi s. 3 and 4, the device 1:3 msscsthrough a tn )0 40 preferably composed of a number of sections 41 whichare separated as shown at 42 to facilitate the collapse of the tube forthe purpose of acting on the cable or other suitable device 15 wherebythe fragile member 14 is broken. It is evi ent that if a rock 43 orother object or mass of nmtorial of suflicient magnitude to obstruct thetrack, should fall upon this tube 40. the some would collapse resultingin aulllcient pull ulpon the inclosed wire or cable 15, to break t edevice 14 and release the spring'actuatcd disk whereby the circuit isclosed to the signaling devices the same as when the other form ofconstruction is em loycd.

Attention is called to t e fact that the tube 40 is arranged along thetrack on the side which is exposed to rocks or other objects which mayroll down from the mountain side and have a tendency to obstruct thetrack. This structure 40 is located in the path of the rock or otherobject as it moves downwardly to the track and consequently must becrushed. As shown in the drawing the tube sections 41 are mounted onsupports 44 arranged in suitable proximity to the track 6 on the dangerside.

Assuming that the disk 8 is in en agement with the two contacts 23 and24, i we start from one of these contacts the path of the current may betraced as follows: From the contact 23 through a conductor 45 to aconductor 46 and thence through the latter (see Fig. 7) to a bell 47 andthence through a conductor 48 to a pole 49 of an electrical generator50. The current passes from the opposite pole 51 of this generator to aline feed wire 52 which may extend along the track an desired distanceand with which any desired number of signaling devices may be connectedin multip e are or otherwise as may be desired. From this feed wire :32a conductor 53 leads to one terminal of the coil of the electro-magnct6. From the opposite terminal of this coil leads a conductor 54 to thecontact 24 from which the current passes throu h the disk 8 to thecontact 23 completing the circuit.

From the conductor 53, leads a conductor 55 (see Fig. 5) to the lamp 27mounted on the signaling arm 37. From this lamp a conductor 56 leads tothe contact 38 secured to the disk 30 by a screw 57. Assuming that thecontact 38 is in engagement with the contact 39 (see dotted lines inFig. 5), the course of the current will be from the contact 38 throughthe contact 39, thence through a conductor 58 to a resistance coil 59located in a box 60 mounted on the post 32 and thence through aconductor 01 to the conductor 53.

Connected with the periphery of the disk 30, is a rope or pull cord 62which is used to operate the disk 30 for the purpose of setting thesignaling arm in the position for use or that indicated in full lines inFigs. 5 and 6, after the disk has moved to the sigimlinc position orthat shown by full lines in F lg. 5. In moving the disk sullicicntly toraise the signaling arm to the position when set for signaling purposesor that shown by full lines in Figs. 5 and 6, the tooth 20 which will bein the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, will move ast thelatch in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5 and the latch will springupwardly behind the tooth 6 locking the disk in the aforesaid position.

From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improvedsignaling apparatus will be readily understood.

Assuming that the wire or cable l 5 has been subjected to sutlicientstrain to disrupt the breakable device 14, the disk 8 Wlll spring intoengagement with the contacts 23 and 24, completing the circuit throughthe magnet 26, which being ener and acts on the latch 28 which iscompose of magnetic material, to draw the latter downwardly whereb it isdisen :1 ed from the tooth 29, thus a] owing the is to move suflicientlyto throw the signaling arm into the dotted line position in Fig. 5whereby the contacts 38 and 39 are broughtinto engagement,

thus closing the circuit through the lam 27.

At the same time the circuit is comp eted through the bell 47 which maybe located at a station along the track or m any desired location. Itmay be assumed that a bell 27 and the electrical generator 50, arelocated at stations installed at suitable intervals along the track. Byvirtue of this construction and arrangement, agents at these stationswill be notified of the danger as well as the train men. It will beunderstood that the signalin devices are located ono posite sides of allanger points so that trams approaching these points from eitherdirection will be notified. The conductor 45 is connected with a feedwire 63 as shown at 64. The feed wires 52 and 63 are connected with theopposite poles of the aerator 50, and may extend any desired distancealong the track, the signalin devices being supplied therefrom by mutiple are connections or otherwise as may be desired.

I luring thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of signalingmechanism comprising a movable signal having a tendency to assume thedanger position, a latch for locking the signal in such a position thatit indicates no danger. an clcctromagnct which when energized will acton the latch to relcnsc the signal and allow it to assume the dangerposition. a circuit nmke-uml-break .lrz'izas, a breakable deviceconnected with the circuit nnlkc-nml-brenl: device and normally holdingthe some in the open circuit. position. and means connected with thebreakable device and lending to a danger point, tlnsaid menus bringarranged lo be acted on by truck dislurlmm-os snlliricntly to disrupttlubrcnlmhlc duvlvr and allow the circuitmake-nnd-brvnli device to moreto a. position to close the circuit of the said magnet.

2. in electric railway signaling apparatus,

the combination of a movable si al, a latch for normally locking thesigns in a position to indicate no dun '01, an electromagnct which whenener izet acts to release the locking device and allow the signal tomove to the danger )osition, n cilrnit in which said magnet is coated, abreakable device, a circuit makwand-break device with which thebreakable device is connected, whereby the circuit makeand-breal-zdevice is held in the open circuit osition, means connected with thebreakabl device and leading to a danger point along the track, and soarranged that a strain u on said device will disrupt the same and al owthe circuit makeand-break device to move to the circuit closingposition.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of signalingmechanism comprising a disk mounted to rotate and pro vided with asignalin arm whose normal tendency is to assume he danger position, alatch for lockin the disk in such a position that the signaling armindicates no danger, an electromagnet which when energized will act onthe latch to release the disk and allow the signaling arm to assume thedanger position, a circuit make-andlneuk device, a breakable deviceconnected with the circuit makc-and-In'eak device and normal] holdii vthe same in the open circuit position, am means connected with thebreakable device and leading to a danger point, the said means beingarranged to be acted on b track disturbances, sulficiently to disrupt t1e breakable device and allow the circuit make-and-break device to moveto the circuit-closing position, substantially as de scribed.

4. In electrical signaling ap aratus the combination of a movable signala latch for locking the signal in the position to indicate no danger, anelectro-magnet so arranged that when energized it acts on the lockingdevice to release the signal and allow the same to move to the dangerposition, a circuit in which the said ma net is located, aspring-actuated circuit malte-aad-hrcak device, and a breakable deviceconnected to hold the nmke-andhreak device in the open circuit position,and means connected with the breakable device and extending to a pointof danger along the truck whereby us the breakable device is disrupted,the circuit make-nnd-break device will move to close the circuit throughthe clcctro-magnct, substantially as described.

5. ln electrical railwnv signaling appurutusdho combination 0 a movablesignal, a latch for nornullly lockin r the signal in the position toindicate no I anger, an electro-mu netwhich when energized acts torclcuse l. m kicking device and allow the sunnto more to the dangerposition, a circuit in which said magnet is located, a breakable device,a circuit makc-and-break device with which the breakable device isconnected means for closing said circuit as the signal whereby thecircuit make-and-break device moves to the danger position,substantially in is held in the open circuit osition, means asdescribed.

connected with the breaka 1e device and I In testimony \vhereofI nfiixmy signature leading to a den er point along the track in presence oftwo witnesses.

and so arranged t mt a strain upon said de- WILLIAM J. COOK.

vice will disrugt the breakable device and Witnesses:

allow the circuit make-and-brcak device to i A. J. OBnmx,

move to the circuit closing position, an elec- Dena NELSON.

tric luinp mounted on the movable signal, 11 circuit in which said lampis located, and

